It all began with Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and then came Kahiin Toh Hoga. Post these two shows Shabbir Ahluwalia's status changed overnight and he became one of the most sought after TV actor. Shabbir has now made his mark in landmark Hindi films and is also remembered for his hosting abilities on Nach Baliye.

Often mistaken as a man with the wrong attitude Shabbir is actually very reticent. Arguably one of the stylish men on TV, Shabbir is liked by women for his unkempt look. He never wanted to be an actor and in fact during his college days he was too confused about his career choice.

Nailing the shy Shabbir for an interview is a Herculean task but Neha Maheshwri pinned him down for an exclusive.

You started with Kyunki, then happened Kahiin and now Kayamath? Why just Balaji?

I love working with Balaji and I think they are one of the finest production houses. I have started my career with them. They trusted me when I started my career. They are family to me and I am really comfortable with them. Besides Balaji I have also worked with SOL, Popkorn, White Weather Films.

In a span of five years you have done just three shows and hosted Nach Baliye?

I like having time for myself. I think it's important for an actor to sit back and think on what he wants to perform and what he is going to project. I don't want to enter a show with a mental block. I want to be very sure of what I do, how I do and yes I try to give it my 100 percent.

You are majorly doing negative roles. Any attempt to break the image?

I think it's important to have an image and now that I have one why would I want to change it? I started with negative roles and then became positive and people accepted me eventually.

When are you going to change the negative image in movies?

Next film.

You are unconventionally good-looking and dress well. Do you try hard at being accepted?

I don't try too hard. I try to be myself. I wear what I am comfortable in and I think that's what gets appreciated because when you feel comfortable, you look comfortable and in turn you look good as the comfort and confidence shows in your face. That's my mantra for dressing.

How much time do you take to dress?

I hardly take five minutes. Most of my problems are solved, I hardly comb my hair because I don't have a proper hairstyle so that's taken care of and my beard also requires trimming just twice a week.

How do you take compliments?

I am actually not good at taking compliments. I start shying away.

People love your on-screen chemistry with Panchi Bora. But whenever you get together there is a twist in the story?

Right now we are together. I think not for long though. Lets see.

You have only been doing multistarrer films. Don't you want to do a single hero film?

I would be seen in a solo-project very soon. Still I would like to clarify that I have been doing character based films. My last film Shootout at Lokhandwala was a character based film. There wasn't a typical hero a villain and everybody was playing a very pivotal role. I have been lucky working with such great artists from Bollywood.

As far as your second question goes I don't crave for any project; I crave for scripts and stories that I believe in. Right now there are couples of scripts that I really like. I can't speak anything on that right now.

What about Ekta Kapoor and Popkorn Entertainment's joint venture Generation Next?

It will follow in very later. I am in talks with Balaji for their upcoming movie but nothing is finalised. There are lots of projects but I can't talk about any of them. Some of them would go on-floors next year.

Are you doing any reality show? You were also supposed to host Aajaa Mahi Vay?

Not in the near future. I had date issues so I couldn't take up the show.

In a bid to be seen on the big screen TV actors often accept any Bollywood film?

People do make such mistakes by just jumping into anything that comes their way and not listening to the scripts. It serves as a setback and it is sad as they don't get a second chance. Most of the TV actors have to struggle hard to reach Bollywood. They do take up anything blindly and this can be disastrous.

How difficult was it for you?

It's taken me two and half years to enter Bollywood so you can figure it out on your own.

How do you manage doing movies when shooting for dailies?

I take a break from TV to shoot for my films.

So when are you going to take your next break?

Very soon. At the end of this year.